Lumos!
Location: Denver, CO
Date Played: September 7, 2019
Team size: up to 8; we recommend 3-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $28 per player
Ticketing: Public
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Epic Escape Game’s Wizard’s Academy was an entertaining take on the Harry Potter-esque escape game. It was heavily puzzle-driven with some clever use of set design and props to build a world.
Wizard’s Academy was a satisfying experience and well worth visiting if you’re in the area.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Harry Potter fans
- Any experience level
- Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle
Why play?
- Wands!
- Strong puzzle play
- House selection was a nice twist
Story
We’d each received invitations to test into the Altum Magicae Academia, the greatest school of magic and wizardry. Today was testing day. Could we earn our place in the school? And if we did, which of the 3 houses would accept us?
Setting
Epic Escape Game’s Wizard’s Academy opened outside of the school’s walls. Surrounded by forest murals, we puzzled our way inside.
As the adventure progressed, we explored a few different spaces within, and all of them looked solid. Some details were stronger than others, but overall, this was a designed and reasonably expansive experience.
Gameplay
Epic Escape Game’s Wizard’s Academy was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ The puzzles flowed well from start to finish. They were pretty classic escape room puzzle styles, well clued, and satisfying to solve.
➖ Wizard’s Academy had some choke points. It was largely linear, with a narrow space that was crucial to gameplay. At times it was frustrating to maneuver through.
➕ We enjoyed using our magic wands to perform spells. We also appreciate that Epic Escape Game will sell customers a wand. Smart.
➕/ ➖ We loved the designs of some magical lighting moments. That said, the tech was a touch finicky.
➖ There was opportunity to incorporate a more magical hint system into Wizard’s Academy. Even with the on-screen hinting, a different tech set up would create a smoother transition into the game world.
➕ In the end, we got to make a choice, which determined our story. This was an unusual addition to the classic escape room conclusion.
Tips For Visiting
- There is a small parking lot behind the building.
- Enter through the front of the building even if you park in the back. It’s worth it.
Book your hour with Epic Escape Game’s Wizard’s Academy, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Epic Escape Game comped our tickets for this game.
Disclosure: Our trip to Denver was sponsored by the Denver escape room community. Contributions were anonymous.
